5 people trapped in cave for 2 days by high water rescued in Slovenia

This photo provided by Cave rescue service of Slovenia shows rescuers inside the Krizna Jama cave near Nova Vas, Slovenia, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024. Slovenia’s rescuers on Monday successfully extracted five people who have been trapped in a cave for more than two days because of high water levels. The rescue operation was possible on Monday after water levels inside the Krizna Jama cave in southwestern Slovenia receded. (Tomaz Grdin, Cave rescue service of Slovenia via AP)

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia — Slovenia’s rescuers on Monday successfully extracted five people who had been trapped in a cave for more than two days because of high water levels.

“It is a day of happiness, it’s a day of life,” said Sandi Curk with the Slovenian civil protection service after water levels receded inside the Krizna Jama cave in southwestern Slovenia, making the rescue possible.

Those rescued are in good spirits, said Igor Benko, head of the Speleological Association of Slovenia.

None needed medical help and all have taken the ordeal well, said doctor Zlatko Pogorilić. “I think we were lucky it all ended like this,” he said.

The family of three adults and their two guides, all from Slovenia, didn’t appear at the news conference.

They got stuck in the cave on Saturday because of heavy rainfall. The 8-kilometer (5-mile) cave system with a string of emerald-colored underground lakes is accessible only by boat and raft and with a guide.

The five were located in a dry area about 2 kilometers inside the cave. A six-member team of divers carried out the hours-long rescue operation, bringing them out in a small boat. The water temperature inside the cave was 6 C (42 F) with very low visibility.

Rescuers earlier said that all were doing well. Divers had brought in a heated tent, food and clothes over the weekend.

Slovenia is known for its more than 14,000 caves. Krizna Jama is the fourth-biggest known underground ecosystem in the world.